PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A driver's aggressive behavior and fatigue led to a crash that killed three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies on Nov. 21, 2024.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Corrinne Adrianna Blue, 32, was speeding and veering dangerously before her Jeep struck the deputies along State Road 80 near Loxahatchee. The crash occurred at approximately 9:14 a.m., when Blue swerved to avoid slowing traffic and hit Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, who were assisting at the scene.
Waller and Paez were pronounced dead on the same day at St. Mary's Medical Center, while Diaz succumbed to injuries on Nov. 25. Blue appeared in court on Friday, with her bond set at $750,000 on three counts of vehicular homicide. Conditions of her release include house arrest and surrendering her passport.
The investigation involved video evidence and over a dozen witness accounts that detailed Blue's reckless driving. It was reported she was traveling at speeds up to 86 mph, well above the 55 mph speed limit, prior to striking the deputies, who were on the shoulder after responding to a disabled motorcycle.
Investigators noted that Blue had been awake for nearly 18 hours before the incident, having worked an overnight shift. Data from her vehicle indicated a sudden braking just before the collision, contradicting her claim of maintaining low speed.
Following the incident, officials ruled out mechanical failure and environmental factors as contributing elements, attributing the crash solely to Blue's actions. The case is currently being processed in the judicial system.